Is it possible to work full-time and homeschool in the evening? 
We live in a small community, and the schools are not the best.  I realize that my son is only 2 months old (yes...I'm already thinking about this.) but I'm not certain I'll be able to be a fulltime stay at home mom.  So, I've been trying to figure out...would it be possible to homeschool him in the evenings?  I'm also not opposed to working part time and teaching him the rest of the time....would that be a possiblity?

What are your thoughts?  What have you seen/done?  What challenges do you foresee?

 I think that working part time and homeschooling is very workable. I didn't work outside the home, but when I was homeschooling two kids, I had many other duties, too, besides just being a "housewife." Homeschooling doesn't take that many hours and part of it can be done over the weekends or even on vacation if you need to. 

 Many people do that.   A homeschool teacher can accomplish more in 2-3 hours than a classroom teacher can in a full day. 

My Mom homeschooled while working during the day.  She did work from home some of the time, but not always.  She would school when she between things or on her days off.  She also is currently homeschooling my youngest sister and she works full time.  She schools on her days off or at night.  She even has others help school my sister while she is at work if needed.  It can be done

pumpkin1074:

Is it possible to work full-time and homeschool in the evening? 

It could be possible. Be sure the laws in your state don't prevent it somehow by demanding you school during normal hours or some such thing.

pumpkin1074:

What have you seen/done? 

I have no experience with holding a regular job and homeschooling but I do have experience with self-employment and homeschooling. The biggest challenge I found was time and energy. I was up early and going all day. I eventually felt drained. My best advice is to think outside of the box for a solution that works for you. Take breaks if you need a refresher but don't fall off track for too long.

Do you have someone who can care for them during the day? Can they oversee some assignments once the children are able to do worksheets, activies and later writing and reading?

I have a daughter who graduated 3 years ago and a son who graduates next year.  Both children have been homeschooled from the very beginning.  We have schooled in motor homes, hotels, hospitals, nursinghomes, restaraunts, parks, lakes, cars and many other places.  We have schooled early, late, with company, out of town, while waiting in hospital and nursing homes.  It can be done almost anywhere and at almost anytime.  You can spend as little as needed or as long as needed.  Most of homeschooling is learning to live a real life, with real situations and real interupptions.  You will know your child more than anyone else and you will know what he needs.  As a loving parent you will almost always give them what they need at what ever sacrafice to yourself.  I guess my answer is yes you can homeschool and work and still give them what they need.  (Mostly love and you).

Brandy:

Do you have someone who can care for them during the day? Can they oversee some assignments once the children are able to do worksheets, activies and later writing and reading?

We will have a babysitter for him while he is young.  She'll be coming to our house starting in July.  I will have to wait and see if she works out.  If not, he'll end up in Daycare...which I'm trying to avoid at all costs.  I'm praying that we are able to swing me being home by the time he's 4.  But I'm always trying to plan ahead.

Thank you all for your advice.  I especially like, thinking outside of the box.  I can agree that most of my learning happened outside of my normal school setting.  It wasn't until I had a long conversation with my Grandfather, that I understood why we entered WWII.  Sad...I know...but that's the way I learn, and that's the failings of some public school systems.

pumpkin1074:

I'm praying that we are able to swing me being home by the time he's 4.  But I'm always trying to plan ahead.

If you don't mind, I am very interested in hearing updates as you make decisions on this, whatever way it goes.

Well, I did find out that my babysitter worked on her girls way before they started school.  That's very good news for me!  She told me that her two girls started reading about 2-3 years old, and add/subtract by 5.  Which is about the time I learned to read and do simple math.  I asked her about the worksheets and possible field trips, etc.  She seemed very excited. 

I still want to be at home, but I'm feel better day by day having her here.

This is easier to do by the compulsory school age of 6. Beyond that, and you risk getting social services involved by a nosy neighbor or relative. It becomes easier again when the child reaches age 15 or 16.